Food Safety and Gut Health

The gut is an important physical, chemical and immunological barrier to foreign antigens and pathogens. The integrity of this critical barrier is crucial in the maintenance of gut health and protection of underlying tissues. We aim to provide fundamental insights into the interactions between food, and the gut and how such interrelationship contributes to disease development and prevention. We aim to elucidate and define the effects and the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for modulation of parameters related to gut health following exposure to food components (both harmful and beneficial). The ultimate goal of this theme is to develop novel intervention strategies that will lead to the efficient management of gut related diseases and reduction in food safety related incidences.